Compare self-drive boats near you
Pricing, photos and open dates across the fleet.
Pricing
| Package | Duration | Price | Available Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Hour Hire | 3 hours | $400 | Summer: 9am–12pm, 12:30–3:30pm, 4–7pm Winter: 9am–12pm, 12:30–3:30pm |
| Summer Day Tripper Best for Picnics | 6.5 hours | $550 | Oct–Mar: 9am–3:30pm or 12:30–7pm |
| Winter Day Tripper | 5 hours | $550 | Apr–Sep: 9am–2pm or 12:30–5:30pm |
How it works — 3 simple steps
Book online and pack your picnic
Choose your date, pick a time slot, and start planning your menu. Stop at the Spit Road shops on the way for fresh supplies.
Get your training
Our team gives you a 15-minute hands-on briefing at The Spit Reserve. They’ll suggest the best spots based on conditions.
Cruise to your spot and drop anchor
Find a quiet bay, set up lunch on the deck tables, swim off the back, and enjoy the harbour at your own pace.
Meet Coral — your picnic boat
Practically designed for picnics on the water. Two lunch tables, full shade canopy, swim platform, and a sheltered cabin. BYO everything — no catering packages, no minimum spend. Your picnic, your way.
Coral on the harbour
What to bring for your harbour picnic
restaurant Food
- Cheese boards and charcuterie
- Sandwiches, wraps, and rolls
- Salads in sealed containers
- Fruit platters — grapes, strawberries, watermelon
- Dips, crackers, breadsticks
- Sushi or rice paper rolls
- Cake or brownies for dessert
wine_bar Drinks
- Wine, beer, champagne
- Sparkling water and juice
- Bring an esky or cooler bag with ice
Driver must stay under 0.05 BAC — same as driving a car. Passengers can drink freely.
backpack Extras
- Sunscreen and hats
- Towels and swimwear
- Snorkelling gear
- Camera — the photos are incredible
Stop at the Spit Road shops on the way — great deli and bottle shop within 5 minutes of pickup.
Best picnic spots by boat
Store Beach
A hidden beach inside North Head, only accessible by boat. Crystal clear water, sandy beach, virtually no crowds. Perfect for spreading your picnic on the sand.
Hidden gem
Sugarloaf Bay
Surrounded by bushland on all sides. Drop anchor in the middle, set up lunch on Coral’s rear deck, and enjoy the silence. Sheltered and calm for swimming.
Most peaceful
Collins Beach
A beautiful small cove near Manly with sand, shade trees, and calm water. Anchor just off the beach, swim in, and set up your picnic on the sand.
Family favourite
Quarantine Beach
Part of the Q Station at North Head. Gorgeous sheltered beach with heritage buildings in the background. Historically fascinating and beautiful.
Athol Bay
Panoramic views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in calm, protected water. The iconic Sydney Harbour lunch spot — what postcards are made of.
Best views
Reef Beach
A small, secluded beach at Dobroyd Head. Sandy bottom, great for wading, stunning bush backdrop. Arrive by boat and have it almost to yourself.
Pickup locations
The Spit Reserve, Mosman
Our main pickup point. Available year-round. Easy parking nearby.
Manly
Available Feb–Nov. Great if you’re coming from the Northern Beaches.
Rose Bay
Available Feb–Nov. Convenient for the Eastern Suburbs.
Frequently asked questions
The best picnic spot in Sydney is on the water
Book Coral online in 2 minutes — BYO everything, no licence needed, fuel included.
Check Availability & Book Online
Also great for
The best picnic spot in Sydney isn’t a park — it’s floating on the harbour. Our self-drive boat Coral has two lunch tables, a full shade canopy, a swim platform, and she’s completely BYO. Pack whatever you want, cruise to a quiet bay, drop anchor, and eat lunch with a view no restaurant can match. From $80/hr, no licence needed.
The Perfect Picnic Boat
Why Coral Is the Ideal Picnic Boat
There are plenty of boats on Sydney Harbour, but very few are as perfectly suited to a picnic as Coral. She’s not about speed or glamour — she’s about comfort, shade, and giving you the space to properly enjoy a meal on the water.
- Two lunch tables — an outdoor table on the rear deck for sunny days, and a second table inside the cabin when you want shade or wind protection. Set up your cheese board, spread out the food, and eat properly.
- Full shade canopy — covers the entire deck area so you can spend all day out without getting burnt. Essential for summer picnics, and it means you’re not fighting for a sliver of shade.
- BYO everything — bring your own food, drinks, snacks, and alcohol. No catering packages to buy, no minimum spend. Your picnic, your menu, your rules.
- Swim platform with ladder — after lunch, jump off the back for a swim in the harbour. The ladder makes it easy for everyone to get back on board.
- Enclosed cabin — proper sheltered space with comfortable seating. If the breeze picks up mid-meal, just move inside without packing anything away.
- 11km/h cruising speed — Coral doesn’t rush. She cruises at a pace that lets you enjoy the scenery, chat with your group, and genuinely relax.
- Pet friendly — your dog is welcome to join the picnic. Bring their favourite treats too.
- No licence required — anyone can drive Coral. Full training provided, no experience needed.
How a Harbour Picnic Works
1. Pack your picnic. Stop at the Spit Road shops or Mosman village on the way — there’s a great deli and bottle shop within 5 minutes of the pickup point. Or prepare everything at home the night before. Either way, bring an esky with ice to keep things cold.
2. Get a quick briefing. Our team gives you 15 minutes of hands-on training at the dock — steering, throttle, anchoring, safety. It’s included in every hire and you’ll feel confident immediately.
3. Cruise to your bay. Head out from The Spit and choose your spot. Middle Harbour has dozens of quiet bays surrounded by bushland — most are 10–20 minutes away. We’ll suggest the best one based on the day’s conditions.
4. Drop anchor and eat. Find your bay, cut the engine, and drop anchor. Lay out lunch on the rear deck table. Pour the wine. Swim between courses. This is what a harbour picnic is all about.
What to Bring
Food That Works Perfectly on a Boat
- Cheese boards and charcuterie — easy to set up on the lunch tables, looks beautiful, tastes incredible with harbour views
- Sandwiches, wraps, and rolls — zero prep needed on the boat
- Sushi or rice paper rolls — light, no mess, easy to share
- Salads in sealed containers — Greek, Caesar, or something more adventurous
- Fresh fruit platters — grapes, strawberries, watermelon slices
- Dips, crackers, and breadsticks — perfect for grazing all afternoon
- Cake or brownies — because every picnic needs something sweet
Drinks
- Wine, champagne, beer — alcohol is permitted on board (driver must stay under 0.05 BAC — rotate driving duties so everyone gets to enjoy a glass)
- Sparkling water, juices, soft drinks — for non-drivers and designated captains
- Bring an esky or cooler bag with ice — essential for keeping everything cold on a warm day
Extras
- Sunscreen and hats — even with the shade canopy, you’ll want protection when swimming
- Towels and swimwear — you will be jumping in
- Snorkelling gear — the harbour bays have surprisingly good visibility
- Bluetooth speaker — or hire our JBL BoomBox as an optional extra
- Camera — the photos from these trips are always incredible
Best Picnic Spots by Boat
Store Beach — Hidden Gem
A secret beach inside North Head that’s only accessible by boat. Crystal clear water, sandy shore, and virtually no crowds on weekdays. Most Sydneysiders don’t even know it exists. Pull up, anchor just offshore, and swim in with your picnic — or eat on the boat looking at one of the most beautiful private beaches in the harbour.
Sugarloaf Bay — Most Popular
The go-to picnic spot in Middle Harbour. Surrounded by bushland on all sides, it feels like you’ve left the city entirely. Drop anchor in the middle, set up lunch on Coral’s rear deck, and enjoy the silence. The water here is sheltered and calm — perfect for a post-lunch swim. About 15 minutes from The Spit.
Reef Beach — Secluded
A small, tucked-away beach at the end of Dobroyd Head walking track. Arrive by boat and you’ll often have it almost entirely to yourself. Sandy bottom, excellent for wading, with stunning bushland all around. Note: this is a clothing-optional beach.
Collins Beach — Manly Side
Tucked inside the harbour near Manly, Collins Beach is a beautiful small cove with sand, shade trees, and calm water. Anchor just off the beach, swim in, and set up your picnic on the sand — or stay on Coral and enjoy the view from the deck. One of the prettiest spots on the entire harbour.
Athol Bay — Iconic Views
Between Bradleys Head and Taronga Zoo, Athol Bay offers panoramic views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge while staying in calm, protected water. This is the postcard-perfect Sydney Harbour picnic — champagne, cheese board, and the most famous skyline in Australia right in front of you. Best for the Day Tripper package due to the extra travel distance.
Picnic Boat Pricing
| Package | Duration | Price | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Hour Hire | 3 hours | $400 | Summer: 9am–12pm, 12:30–3:30pm, or 4–7pm Winter: 9am–12pm or 12:30–3:30pm |
| Summer Day Tripper | 6.5 hours | $550 | Oct–Mar: 9am–3:30pm or 12:30–7pm |
| Winter Day Tripper | 5 hours | $550 | Apr–Sep: 9am–2pm or 12:30–5:30pm |
| Hourly Rate | Flexible | From $80/hr | Subject to availability |
Pickup Locations
The Spit Reserve, Mosman — Our main departure point. Available year-round. Closest to Sugarloaf Bay, Bantry Bay, and the best picnic anchorages in Middle Harbour. Easy parking nearby, plus great delis and bottle shops on Spit Road for last-minute picnic supplies.
Manly — Available February to November. Perfect if you want to picnic around North Head, Store Beach, or Collins Beach.
Rose Bay — Available February to November. Convenient for the Eastern Suburbs, with easy access to Shark Island and Athol Bay.
Want More Speed? Try the Axopar 28
If someone in your group holds a NSW boat licence, the Axopar 28 gives you a faster, sportier option at $190/hr for up to 7 guests. Cover more harbour, reach further-flung bays, and still enjoy a relaxed BYO lunch at anchor. She’s the premium choice for picnic-goers who want range and speed as well as comfort. View all self-drive options.
Frequently Asked Questions
➤ Can I bring alcohol on board?
Yes. Coral is fully BYO including alcohol — wine, beer, champagne, cocktails, whatever you like. The only rule is that the person driving must stay under the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.05, the same as driving a car. We recommend rotating driving duties so everyone gets to enjoy a drink. Most groups bring a loaded esky and it’s one of the highlights of the day.
➤ Is there a fridge on board?
Coral doesn’t have a built-in fridge, so bring an esky or insulated cooler bag with ice packs. This is actually better for a picnic — you can pack exactly what you want and keep it right next to your table. A good quality esky will keep everything cold for the entire trip, even on a hot summer day.
➤ Can I anchor anywhere I want?
You can anchor in most bays and coves around the harbour, as long as you’re not in a marked no-anchoring zone or shipping channel. We’ll brief you on the best picnic spots and any areas to avoid when you pick up the boat. The general rule: if it’s a quiet, sheltered bay away from ferry routes, you’re almost certainly fine. Middle Harbour has dozens of perfect anchorages.
➤ How far can I get in 3 hours?
At Coral’s 11km/h cruising speed, a 3-hour hire gives you plenty of time to cruise to a bay 15–20 minutes away, anchor for 1.5–2 hours for your picnic and a swim, and cruise back comfortably. That covers Sugarloaf Bay, Balmoral, and most of Middle Harbour. For further spots like Store Beach or Athol Bay, we recommend the Day Tripper package — the extra time means you can truly relax without rushing.
➤ Is it suitable for kids?
Absolutely. Coral is one of the most family-friendly boats on the harbour. The slow speed, stable hull, shade canopy, and enclosed cabin make it safe and comfortable for children of all ages. Life jackets in children’s sizes are provided. The swim platform is easy for kids to use, and many families tell us the highlight is jumping off the boat and swimming in the harbour. A picnic boat trip makes a brilliant school holiday activity or kids’ birthday party.
Picnic Boating on Sydney Harbour
There’s something special about eating lunch on the water. It’s not just the views — though anchoring in a quiet bay with bushland on one side and the harbour stretching out on the other is genuinely spectacular. It’s the feeling of having your own private space in the middle of one of the world’s busiest cities. No other tables. No waiters hovering. No time limit. Just you, your food, and the harbour.
Sydney’s geography makes it uniquely suited to picnic boating. The main harbour is wide and open, but branching off it are dozens of smaller bays, coves, inlets, and hidden beaches — many of which are only accessible by boat. These sheltered spots are where the magic happens. You can be anchored in a bay surrounded by national park bushland, eating a cheese board and drinking wine, and yet be only 20 minutes from the CBD.
The best seasons for a harbour picnic are spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May). The weather is warm but not scorching, the wind is typically lighter, and the harbour is less crowded. That said, summer picnics have the advantage of longer evenings — the 4pm–7pm sunset session is particularly special, with golden light on the water and warm air well into the evening.
Winter picnics are underrated. Sydney’s winters are mild, and a sunny July day on the harbour is beautiful. The cabin gives you proper shelter, and the Winter Day Tripper package gives you 5 hours to properly settle in. The harbour is quieter in winter too, so you’ll have the bays almost entirely to yourself.
For groups wanting a bigger experience with catering and a larger vessel, we also offer skippered party boat charters with full food and drink packages. But for an intimate, personal, affordable picnic on the water, Coral is hard to beat. From $400 for 3 hours split between 6 guests, it’s under $70 per person — less than most waterfront restaurants, and infinitely more memorable.
Coral is also perfect for those specifically looking for a BYO boat with food facilities. The two lunch tables, shade canopy, and swim platform make her purpose-built for a day of eating, drinking, and swimming. And because no licence is required, literally anyone can make it happen.
Browse all our self-drive boat hire options or book Coral directly below.
Ready for Your Harbour Picnic?
Pack the esky, grab the cheese board, and book Coral. No licence needed. Fuel included. The harbour is waiting.
Check Availability & Book Coral